Freeway closure is for film production

Lauren Williams

The upcoming closure of the Corona del Mar (73) Freeway isn't for roadwork. It's for film production, officials said.

The August agenda of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor board shows members were slated to discuss the state road closure, noting that Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. would use portions of the freeway between the San Diego (405) Freeway and Jamboree Road.

Warner Bros. is expected to pay the agency for lost toll revenues and other costs, the agenda noted. The amount the agency was expected to receive was unclear Tuesday.

California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Gloria Roberts said the highway would close for permit work but would not elaborate. She encouraged motorists to plan their schedules accordingly.

Costa Mesa CEO Tom Hatch said the city is trying to minimize the impact on residents, and the city is now looking to coordinate detour information.

"Our role is limited to making this less inconvenient to commuters, [and as] well organized and as efficient as possible," Hatch said.

Newport Beach met with several Caltrans staff members to plan for the closure, said city spokeswoman Tara Finnigan.

City staffers recommended changes to the detour plans that would ensure mitigated traffic could be accommodated, she said.

Some Costa Mesa city officials are miffed about the closure.

Councilman Steve Mensinger said the inconvenience illustrates a shortcoming in state agencies.

"I think that it's another example of a state agency that just does what it wants without understanding what it does to a local community," Mensinger said. "I think this will affect a lot of businesses in our city. Clearly the state doesn't care what happens in local communities."

Mensinger said he understands the movie that will be filmed is "The Hangover Part 3."